4 Extra Measures of Precaution to Take to Protect Your Items in Self-Storage

When it comes to recreating the safest, most adequate environment for the goods that you no longer want to keep onsite, modern self-storage has everything covered. A great unit will protect your belongings against some of the most common threats, including fire, floods, theft, extreme temperatures, excessive humidity, light/heat exposure, and vandalism. Even so, you could always go the extra mile to implement a few extra preventive measures to make certain that all the personal effects you’ve left in storage are out of harm’s way. We’d like to share four steps to ensure your items are successfully preserved.

1. Customize Your Unit.

If you want to minimize risks associated with a potential flooding, stack your boxes on sturdy plywood sheets or pallets. Better yet, customize your unit by adding racks or open shelving. You could easily avoid water damage by keeping your delicate possessions inside sealed boxes placed on shelves where floodwater couldn’t reach them.

2. Use Only Premium Packaging Materials Compatible with Your Specific Storage Needs.

To prevent damages caused by improper storage conditions, only use packaging materials that are compatible with the composition of the items you’re planning on storing. For example, use cotton bags to store textiles; plastic covers are never a good idea, considering that they could retain moisture, favoring mold growth. If you don’t know what type of materials to buy and use to protect your stored belongings, discuss your options with the self-storage facility manager.

3. Ask for an Upgrade.

Flexibility is one of the key advantages offered by the self-storage business. If your current unit is not the best match for new, fragile goods that you no longer want to deposit inside your home or office, such as vintage furniture, clothes, electronics, and collectibles, remember that you could always ask for an upgrade and move your belongings inside a unit with climate control. This additional feature will enable you to maintain the most adequate humidity level and temperature to keep all your goods looking and running like new.

4. Inspect Your Stored Goods Periodically.

Label your boxes to make it easier for you to retrieve your possessions, and don’t hesitate to take your goods out periodically to see how they are holding up. Do this monthly or yearly to make sure that they aren’t getting moldy, smelly, or stiff. Regular inspections could help you identify and address the first signs of wear and tear before they become a major problem. Make the most of a dry, clean, dark, and secure space where you could stash a wide range of personal belongings safely and conveniently. Do yourself a favor and rent a self-storage unit today.